Page 45 - Michigan RV and Campgrounds directory

a road, running after a wild animal, or wandering over to the next site. The leave-it command is also essential for safety. It tells your dog to ignore a certain object, such as animal scat or roadkill.
4. Do bring a crate or kennel. Your dog should have a comfortable spot to call his own. A crate
or kennel is useful when traveling to your destination, since he won’t be moving about the vehicle and possibly distracting the driver (you know your dog best so do this at your discretion), or during
a weather-related event he might find frightening such as a thunderstorm. When you’re heading to an activity and need to leave your dog behind, a crate or kennel might be
the safest option in which to contain him; just make sure
it’s not in a hot space and that the dog has plenty of water.
Along for the Ride
5. Do make sure your dog’s ID tag is up to date with contact information. The contact number should be the most direct way of reaching you, and since you’re a voyager on the road, it should be your cell phone number. Some metal tags and links have a propensity to bend or fall off, losing that valuable information. Consider as
an alternative a dog collar with the name and contact number embroidered on the collar itself.
6. Do your homework about the area you’re planning to visit to explore dog-friendly places and activities. You wouldn’t want to leave your dog behind in the RV the whole time, so take him along whenever possible. For hiking for instance, Bringfido.com lists all dog-friendly trails, beaches, parks, and more in Michigan. Most activities require dogs to be on leashes.
7. Do bring copies of veterinary records. If you have an emergency when you’re away from home and need to visit a vet, having your records on hand will help them better understand and treat your dog.
Being a Good Neighbor
8. Do follow campground rules. Some will have more stringent rules than others. Following the rules ensures a positive experience with a particular campground so that you’ll be able to visit again in the future. These rules are also in place to help keep your dog – and other travelers – safe.
9. Do clean up after your dog. Bring enough baggies or even a scooper to take care of your dog’s business. This keeps the campground
or RV park clean, for feet and for the eyes.
10.Do keep your dog contained to your campsite. Campers are generally a friendly bunch, but you still want to keep your dog confined to your designated area. If you can’t trust your dog to stick around, or listen to your commands, then tether him to a long lead so that the boundaries stay in place. Get to know your neighbors and how comfortable they are around dogs or whether they have dogs of their own.
Day Trip Checklist for the Dog
If you’re planning an activity away from the RV that involves taking along the dog, then pack these items. Some items will be duplicated with multiple dogs.
Leash
Portable water dish
Food (if out for an extended period of time)
Dog boots (if your dog is used to them and you’re going over rough terrain) First Aid kit
Drinking water
Plastic pick up bags
Extended Trip Checklist for the Dog
If your RV is your home or you’re away from home for an extended period of time, then you’ll need additional accessories and items on hand if you also have a dog along for the trip. These items include:
Copies of veterinary records, including vaccinations
Heartworm and flea prevention Medications
Crate or kennel
Dog pad
Nail clippers
Hairbrush
Water and food bowls
Toys
ID tags, up to date
Picture of your dog
Extra leash
Cleaning solution
Tie-out or X-Pen
Furniture slipcovers (if your dog is allowed on the furniture) Spot cleaner
Shampoo
Three Quick Tips for Dog-Proofing Your RV
1. Consider putting a thin sheet of plexi-glass on the inside of the front
door to protect the screen from your dog’s nails. This way, the door can be open and a breeze can still come through the top half.
2. Use a crate or baby gate to cordon off your dog from some areas
of the RV while you’re away. A crate can be quite comforting to a dog, it’s “cave,” so it might be the best option for while you’re not around or during travel.
3. Remove temptations such as leaving food on the counter, the bathroom door open, or the garbage can full. In fact, choose a garbage bin
with a top that can lock –
and stay locked.
Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles and Campgrounds
marvac.org 2016 MICHIGAN RV & CAMPGROUNDS 43